Photo: VCG

China is one of the countries with the lowest incidence of gun- and explosive-related violence in the world, with effective gun and explosives control and governance, however, there are still occasional cases of illegal hunting that led to fatalities, according to public security authorities.

China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has released details of three illegal hunting cases that resulted in fatalities, causing irreparable harm to both the perpetrators and the victims’ families. The cases serve as painful lessons, the Criminal Investigation Bureau of China’s MPS said.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau of China’s MPS stated in a statement on Monday that in recent years, the ministry has conducted extensive crackdowns on gun- and explosive-related crimes. These efforts have led to a significant reduction in the number of illegal firearms and explosives in society, as well as a sharp and continuous decline in related criminal cases. As a result, China has become one of the countries with the lowest incidence of gun- and explosive-related violence in the world, setting a Chinese model for gun and explosives control and governance.

The ministry noted that in regards with key areas such as rural regions, mountainous areas, forest zones, and pastoral zones, the MPS has launched special crackdowns on illegal firearm possession and hunting. These efforts, including increased patrols and public awareness campaigns, have yielded significant results. However, in regions where wildlife is abundant and hunting traditions persist, incidents of accidental injuries and fatalities caused by illegal hunting continue to occur.

According to the ministry, some cases involved accidental firearm discharges which resulted in the fatal shooting of companions. Others involved mistaking a person for prey, leading to a deadly shooting, followed by the perpetrator’s suicide out of fear of punishment. Additionally, some tragedies occurred when children mistook firearms hidden at home for toys, leading to fatal accidents.

While the overall number of such cases remains relatively low, the ministry emphasized that the consequences are severe and irreversible for both the perpetrators and the victims’ families, serving as painful lessons.

In January 2024, a man surnamed He was illegally hunting in a mountainous area in Zhuzhou, Hunan Province, when he was mistaken for prey by another group of illegal hunters and fatally shot.

In January 2023, a man surnamed Chen was fatally shot in an accidental firearm discharge by his longtime friend, Liu, during their illegal hunting activity in a mountain in Yichun city, East China’s Jiangxi Province. The friendship between the two people had been lasting for 40 years before the accident happened.
The gun involved was a modified nail gun Liu obtained from a friend in 2011 and repeatedly used it for illegal hunting between 2020 and 2023.

In July 2023, a 6-year-old girl in Neijiang, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, was fatally shot in the eye by her 14-year-old brother with a self-made nail gun. The gun, crafted by their father, Zhong, for bird hunting, had been kept at home.

To prevent further tragedies, the public must strictly adhere to firearm-related laws. Those who currently possess firearms should voluntarily turn them in to the public security authorities as soon as possible, the MPS emphasized.

Global Times